"Sticky Steering"
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Sebring Florida
"Sticky Steering"
I'm taking my C7 back to the dealer's on Monday to see if I can resolve a problem that seems to be getting progressively worse with the steering.
At low speeds, generally less then 20 mph, turning the steering wheel to near the extent of it's travel, I feel a stickiness or notchiness. For just an instant the wheel feels as though it doesn't want to turn.
I have experienced this going forward & in reverse. I've also experienced it in both Tour & Sport modes. I've tried changing the settings for steering and nothing changes.
Steering is smooth at speeds over 20. It seems normal. I'm wondering whether anyone else has experienced this so that I'm informed before I hit the service department.
UPDATE:
I think I've discovered my problem!
I had the hood up to check the oil yesterday afternoon, and since the sun was shinning brightly, I decided to look around in the area of the steering column just on the odd chance I would see something amiss, and much to my surprise, I think I've found the problem.
This all started shortly after I had a ECS Novi 1500 supercharger installed, but it didn't seem to me that this installation would cause a problem with the steering until I saw that a large air feed tube coming up from the intercooler is sitting on top of the steering column. Slow speed turns in either direction cause the column to orbit more then normal highway driving, so what I feel in the steering wheel is the column rubbing on the intercooler tube.
It's a tossup now as to whether I should still plan to take it to the dealer on Monday, or call my installer to correct the problem.
At low speeds, generally less then 20 mph, turning the steering wheel to near the extent of it's travel, I feel a stickiness or notchiness. For just an instant the wheel feels as though it doesn't want to turn.
I have experienced this going forward & in reverse. I've also experienced it in both Tour & Sport modes. I've tried changing the settings for steering and nothing changes.
Steering is smooth at speeds over 20. It seems normal. I'm wondering whether anyone else has experienced this so that I'm informed before I hit the service department.
UPDATE:
I think I've discovered my problem!
I had the hood up to check the oil yesterday afternoon, and since the sun was shinning brightly, I decided to look around in the area of the steering column just on the odd chance I would see something amiss, and much to my surprise, I think I've found the problem.
This all started shortly after I had a ECS Novi 1500 supercharger installed, but it didn't seem to me that this installation would cause a problem with the steering until I saw that a large air feed tube coming up from the intercooler is sitting on top of the steering column. Slow speed turns in either direction cause the column to orbit more then normal highway driving, so what I feel in the steering wheel is the column rubbing on the intercooler tube.
It's a tossup now as to whether I should still plan to take it to the dealer on Monday, or call my installer to correct the problem.
Last edited by 2vetteEd; Aug 17, 2014 at 06:11 AM. Reason: Additional info
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 722
Likes: 19
From: Sebring Florida
On my C6's with full turn lock you can feel the tires "hop" somewhat, but I problem now is not the same.
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
I'm taking my C7 back to the dealer's on Monday to see if I can resolve a problem that seems to be getting progressively worse with the steering.
At low speeds, generally less then 20 mph, turning the steering wheel to near the extent of it's travel, I feel a stickiness or notchiness. For just an instant the wheel feels as though it doesn't want to turn.
I have experienced this going forward & in reverse. I've also experienced it in both Tour & Sport modes. I've tried changing the settings for steering and nothing changes.
Steering is smooth at speeds over 20. It seems normal. I'm wondering whether anyone else has experienced this so that I'm informed before I hit the service department.
At low speeds, generally less then 20 mph, turning the steering wheel to near the extent of it's travel, I feel a stickiness or notchiness. For just an instant the wheel feels as though it doesn't want to turn.
I have experienced this going forward & in reverse. I've also experienced it in both Tour & Sport modes. I've tried changing the settings for steering and nothing changes.
Steering is smooth at speeds over 20. It seems normal. I'm wondering whether anyone else has experienced this so that I'm informed before I hit the service department.
If the answer is no, there is nothing wrong with your steering. You are feeling the effects of the larger tires trying to travel along two slightly different radii during a tight turn. When you are near steering lock, your tires are at two different angles through the turn. This results in the outside tire scribing a large radius and the inside tire having to try to keep up while travelling through a smaller radius. This results in a skipping or scrubbing of the inside wheel as grips and travels as far as it can and then breaks free and scrubs until it grips and tries again. This process continues until you reduce the angle of your steering wheel.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 722
Likes: 19
From: Sebring Florida
Do you feel this stickiness when the steering wheel is not near the extent of it's travel?
If the answer is no, there is nothing wrong with your steering. You are feeling the effects of the larger tires trying to travel along two slightly different radii during a tight turn. When you are near steering lock, your tires are at two different angles through the turn. This results in the outside tire scribing a large radius and the inside tire having to try to keep up while travelling through a smaller radius. This results in a skipping or scrubbing of the inside wheel as grips and travels as far as it can and then breaks free and scrubs until it grips and tries again. This process continues until you reduce the angle of your steering wheel.
If the answer is no, there is nothing wrong with your steering. You are feeling the effects of the larger tires trying to travel along two slightly different radii during a tight turn. When you are near steering lock, your tires are at two different angles through the turn. This results in the outside tire scribing a large radius and the inside tire having to try to keep up while travelling through a smaller radius. This results in a skipping or scrubbing of the inside wheel as grips and travels as far as it can and then breaks free and scrubs until it grips and tries again. This process continues until you reduce the angle of your steering wheel.
And, I agree with what you're telling me about the two different radii. Makes the whole issue clear as day.
The only problem I have now, is why didn't I notice this from day one?
Old age is definitely coming on strong1
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Joined: Aug 2002
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
The answer to your question is: yes, the steering wheel is no where near the extent of it's travel.
And, I agree with what you're telling me about the two different radii. Makes the whole issue clear as day.
The only problem I have now, is why didn't I notice this from day one? Old age is definitely coming on strong1
And, I agree with what you're telling me about the two different radii. Makes the whole issue clear as day.
The only problem I have now, is why didn't I notice this from day one?
Old age is definitely coming on strong1
Well, it is a new design system (electronic vs. hydraulic) and if you feel as if you are noticing something different now vs. earlier, take it in and have it looked at for sure. No harm in double checking. The subtleties in feel are going to be there for an owner that came from the C6 so that explains some of the different feel but if you believe that something has changed, maybe it has. Worth a look.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 722
Likes: 19
From: Sebring Florida
Well, it is a new design system (electronic vs. hydraulic) and if you feel as if you are noticing something different now vs. earlier, take it in and have it looked at for sure. No harm in double checking. The subtleties in feel are going to be there for an owner that came from the C6 so that explains some of the different feel but if you believe that something has changed, maybe it has. Worth a look.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 309
I would put losing steering above losing brakes as one of those things that I would really prefer not to have happen (and I have had both happen), so I wouldn't want to discourage you from having it checked out, although I did have one incidence with an earlier Corvette's brakes that should have been fixed under warranty. The dealership fought with me on this and I ended up having to do it myself despite there being a service bulletin on the problem.
What I am trying to say is, you may get a response that "This is normal" whether it is or not. Dealerships become more interested in fixing problems after the warranty expires.
You may have to become more mechanically inclined or find an independent shop that you can trust.
Not all dealerships are like this, but a distressing number are.
All that aside, it sounds like you are describing the low speed tire scrubbing that a lot of posts have complained about and the car is ok.
What I am trying to say is, you may get a response that "This is normal" whether it is or not. Dealerships become more interested in fixing problems after the warranty expires.
You may have to become more mechanically inclined or find an independent shop that you can trust.
Not all dealerships are like this, but a distressing number are.
All that aside, it sounds like you are describing the low speed tire scrubbing that a lot of posts have complained about and the car is ok.
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